Transporting device and image recording apparatus

Abstract

A photographic printer includes a transporting device body being stationary. A transporting roller sets transport a recording sheet along a transporting path disposed with the transporting device body. A lid is secured to the transporting device body, and movable between first and second positions. The lid, when in the first position, defines the transporting path in cooperation with the transporting device body, and when in the second position, is away from the transporting device body to form a space upstream along the transporting path. Furthermore, two rotational support arms secure a downstream edge of the lid to the transporting device body in a rotatable manner. The lid is openable upon a pivotal movement of its upstream edge. Each of the plural transporting roller sets includes a first roller secured to the lid. A nip roller is secured to the transporting device body.

1 . A transporting device for transporting and delivering a recording sheet along a transporting path, comprising: 
 a transporting device body being stationary; and    a lid, secured to said transporting device body, movable between first and second positions, wherein said lid, when in said first position, closes an upstream side of said transporting path, and when in said second position, opens said upstream side of said transporting path, said lid allowing transport of said recording sheet when in said first position.    
     
     
         2 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a rotational support mechanism for securing a downstream edge of said lid to said transporting device body in a rotatable manner, wherein an upstream edge of said lid pivotally moves.  
     
     
         3 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of transporting roller sets for nipping and transporting said recording sheet between said transporting device body and said lid along said transporting path.  
     
     
         4 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein each of said plural transporting roller sets includes: 
 a roller secured to said lid; and    a nip roller secured to said transporting device body.    
     
     
         5 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising a delay mechanism for decreasing a moving speed of said lid toward said second position for delay.  
     
     
         6 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said rotational support mechanism includes: 
 first and second lid arms for protruding from ends of said downstream edge of said lid; and    first and second support arms for protruding from ends of a downstream edge of said transporting device body, said first and second support arms being secured to said first and second lid arms in a rotatable manner.    
     
     
         7 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said plural transporting roller sets are arranged in plural rows extending in a direction of said transporting path.  
     
     
         8 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said delay mechanism includes: 
 a tension biasing element having first and second biasing ends, said first biasing end being retained on said lid;    a connector of wire, having first and second connecting ends, said first connecting end being retained on said transporting device body, said second connecting end being connected with said second biasing end.    
     
     
         9 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said delay mechanism is disposed along said upstream edge of said lid, and said tension biasing element extends in a crosswise direction crosswise to said transporting path.  
     
     
         10 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said lid is openable down from said transporting device body.  
     
     
         11 . A transporting device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said transporting path has an upstream portion extending substantially horizontally, and a downstream portion succeeding to said upstream portion and extending downwards in an L-shape.  
     
     
         12 . An image recording apparatus for image recording to a recording sheet, comprising: 
 a transporting device body being stationary;    a lid, secured to said transporting device body, movable between first and second positions, wherein said lid, when in said first position, forms a transporting path in cooperation with said transporting device body for passage of said recording sheet, and when in said second position, opens a space by coming away from said transporting device body; and    a transporting mechanism for transporting said recording sheet through said transporting path.    
     
     
         13 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising a rotational support mechanism for securing a downstream edge of said lid to said transporting device body in a rotatable manner, wherein an upstream edge of said lid pivotally moves.  
     
     
         14 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said transporting mechanism further includes a plurality of transporting roller sets for nipping and transporting said recording sheet between said transporting device body and said lid along said transporting path.  
     
     
         15 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 14 , wherein each of said plural transporting roller sets includes: 
 a roller secured to said lid; and    a nip roller secured to said transporting device body.    
     
     
         16 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 at least one transporting unit, disposed upstream from said transporting device body, having a transporting roller, for transporting said recording sheet;    a controller for causing said transporting roller in said transporting unit to rotate after removal of a jammed recording sheet with said lid set in said second position, wherein said transporting roller transports said recording sheet remaining in said transporting unit, to exit said recording sheet through a space between said transporting device body and said lid; and    a residual sheet receiving unit for receiving said recording sheet exited through said space.    
     
     
         17 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising a position detector for detecting in which of said first and second positions said lid is set, to output a position signal, said position signal being transmitted to said controller.  
     
     
         18 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said recording sheet is photosensitive; 
 further comprising:    an exposure unit, disposed upstream from said transporting device body, for image printing by exposure of said photosensitive sheet; and    a processor, disposed downstream from said transporting device body, for photographically processing said photosensitive sheet.    
     
     
         19 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising a delay mechanism for decreasing a moving speed of said lid toward said second position for delay.  
     
     
         20 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said delay mechanism includes: 
 a tension biasing element having first and second biasing ends, said first biasing end being retained on said lid;    a connector of wire, having first and second connecting ends, said first connecting end being retained on said transporting device body, said second connecting end being connected with said second biasing end.    
     
     
         21 . An image recording apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said lid is openable down from said transporting device body.